Aston Villa pre-season posers: Kits, captains and clean slates

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Aston Villa's squad return to Bodymoor Heath for pre-season training this week as Roberto Di Matteo attempts to usher in a new era.

We won't really know what kind of shape Villa are in until they kick off their Championship campaign at Sheffield Wednesday on August 7, but their first week under Di Matteo will give some hints at what to expect.

Here's the questions that pre season should help to answer.

Will this be Jack Grealish's year?

(Image: Harry Trump/Getty Images)

For the second summer running, Jack Grealish has been hitting it hard.

However, rather than the controversial scenes from his lads' holiday in Tenerife a year ago, this time he has employed the services of a personal trainer during his sunshine break in Dubai.

It is in keeping with a lad who has had an awakening following his starring role in England under-21s winning the Toulon Tournament in late May.

He realises that if he keeps his side of the bargain by staying focused and working hard then his undeniable talent will come to the fore.

Grealish could have had an extra few days off because of his Three Lions commitment but has chosen to report back with the rest of the group.

It is encouraging and it shows a growing maturity for a lad who is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs.

But it is only a start. Now is the time to consistently deliver on his potential at Villa.

Will Gabby Agbonlahor get a clean slate?

Talking of boyhood Villa fans who need to make amends let's deal with the weighty issue of Gabby Agbonlahor's future.

Pictures the striker has posted of himself on social media suggest that he has shed a few pounds over the summer months.

Out of shape in the season, in shape in the summer, Agbonlahor seems to be doing things in reverse, which is apt since his career has been in reverse for most of the last half decade.

Reversing the claret and blue faithful's low opinion of him will be a much tougher task.

He let Villa down in their time of need and I still think a parting of ways would benefit the striker and the club, even if his prospects of tearing up the Championship would be much better than his form during the Prermier League slump.

Di Matteo will have his own thoughts, but in recent years Agbonlahor has blown more chances off the pitch than he has on it.

Who will take the lead on the training pitches?

In appointing two hands-on coaches in Steve Clarke and Kevin Bond, Di Matteo is expected to take more of a watching brief, observing from the sidelines as his lieutenants put the players through their paces. That tended to be his way at West Bromwich Albion.

It will be an intriguing balancing act for the new management team. Will Clarke be the bad cop to Di Matteo's good cop? Either way, the standards Villa set at Bodymoor Heath will be crucial.

The coaches must create a disciplined environment, but also introduce a vibe where shattered confidence can be repaired. The dynamic between Di Matteo, Clarke, Bond, goalkeeping coach Massimo Battara and fitness guru Massimiliano Marchesi will be crucial.

Who will be the captain?

New signing Tommy Elphick of Aston Villa

It is a one horse race at the moment, judging by the Tommy Elphick appreciation society in full swing from Bournemouth to Bodymoor Heath.

Let's face it, the players who wore the armband last season - Micah Richards, Gabby Agbonlahor and Joleon Lescott are not fit to lead Villa, even if they do remain at the club.

Di Matteo wants to stamp his mark on the dressing room and wants to bring a fresh vibe to the squad.

Who better to do that than the only new addition to date, Elphick, a man described as a players' player, who is loyal to his managers and has experience of winning the Championship.

Don't hang about, get that armband stitched to his new shirt, pronto.

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What will the new training kit be like?

Okay, so it's not THE most pressing issue, but it would be good to get a glimpse of the new Under Armour leisurewear.

The club have dropped little hints about the new replica kit ahead of the grand launch on Friday, but it will be interesting to see what training gear the players are wearing when photos emerge of them back on the practice pitches this week.

Previous manufacturers Macron were not the most popular with Villa fans, so Under Armour should have carefully considered the quality and pricing of the garments if they want them flying of the shelves of the refurbished club shop.